Wrench



All@ 6 1940 o. BEcKLlN 2,210,274

WRENCH Filed June 2s. 1957 Patented ug. 6', 194() y vUNITED STATES WRENCH y l Oscar Bccklin, LosvAngeles, Calif.

Application June 23, 1937, Serial No. 149,907

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a tool of the wrench type and relates more particularly to a wrench for gripping and turning pipe and otherobjects such as bolts, nuts, etc. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical, leffective wrench that isy particularly .easy andv convenient to manipulate.

Another object of this invention a wrench that is` adapted to obtain a rm, dependable grip on a pipe or other object without the manual manipulation of a nut, screw or the like.

Another object of this invention is toprovide a wrench of' the character mentioned that is operable to obtain a gripping engagement with a pipe or other object that is increased in intensity in proportion to the turning force. imposed on the wrench handle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wrench that is operable to dependably and securely grip objects varying considerably in size and to obtain a secure engagementwith all objects within its range of adjustment.

Another object of this inventionis'tol provide a wrench oi the character mentioned embodying a novel, simple spring means-'for automatically urging the wrench jaws intoinitial engagement with the object to be gripped or turned.

Another-object of this invention is. to provide a wrench of the character `mentionedembody1 ing two pivotally connected jaws pivotally associated with the wrench handle in such a marmer that a substantial leverage or mechanical advantage is obtained to force the jaws into vengagement with the object being gripped o-r turned when a turning force is applied to the handle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a wrench embodying a handle shaped in ksuch a manner that a very heavy force may be applied to it without bruising or injuring the hands.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood fromthe following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a. wrench of the present invention with its jaws in engagement with a pipe or similar object. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the outer portion o-rv principal portion of the wrench showing the jaws in the vcollapsed or retracted positions. Fig. 3 is a trans- -verse detailed sectionalview taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig.` 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view takenas indicated by `linell-IlY on is to provide` (Cl. ill- 91) Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a slightly modified form of the invention intended primarilyY for engaging polygonal objects such as bolt heads, nuts, etc. y The improved' wrench of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4,` inclusive, of the drawing, includes, generally, a handle I0, an inner jaw II pivoted tothe handle I,an outer jaw I2 pivoted to the inner jaw Il and pivotally and'shiftabl'y connected withthe handle I0, and spring means, I3 urging the jaws I I and I2 toward `one another.

The handle I Ilv is an elongate lever-like part adapted to be grasped and held by the workman or user of the tool.y The handle II) is preferably an elongate integral member of substantial length. In accordance with theY invention the handle I'is substantially T-shaped ork I'shaped in transverse cross section, having a bead or flange I4 extending along its rear edge and a bead or flangeV I5 Yextending alongits forward edge. The flange I4 at the rear edge ofthe handle IIl're-lative to the direction of turning ofthe handle as indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 1 is comparatively wide to present a broad surface I6 to be engaged and pressed against by the palm and -heel of theusers hand. .The flange I5 is preferably somewhat narrower than the flange I4. ,The surfaces of the handle anges vI4y and I5 maybe smooth and round-ed. The 'handle I shaped as just described isl particularly convenient to grasp and use and its broad flange I4 greatly facilitates the employment of the wrench, particularly where a heavy turning force is applied to the handle II).

The handle Il! is provided at its active end or inner end with a lug or lever Il. The lever I 'I is integral with the handle Il? and is preferably somewhat narrower than the handle. h1 the preferred construction the lever I'l has flat parallel sides. In accordance with the invention therleverr I'I is pitched relative to the handle II), that is, the longitudinal axis of the lever I'I is angularly related to the longitudinal axis of the handle I0. The longitudinal axis of the lever II extends outwardly and rearwardlyy relative to the `longitudinal axis of the handle l0, as clearly i1- rlustratedin Figs. 1 and2 of the drawing.

The inner jaw II is one' of the pipe or object engaging elements of the' tool and is` pivotally associated with the handle Ill. The jaw II is an elongate member provided with a convex active end I8 for cooperating with the pipe or object O.

- In'the form. of theinventionbeing described the active end' I8 of the jaw II has a series of gripfjaw II. ush with the side surfaces of the jawarm 24.` 4When the jaws II and I2 are collapsed or in the positions illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the v'axis of the pivot pin 29 is substantially aligned "with the longitudinal axis X of the handle I0.

ping teeth I9. The teeth I9 are preferably V- shaped in cross section and extend transversely across the jaw end I8. The jaw II is preferably somewhat wider or thicker than the handle I 0 and has flat parallel side surfaces. The jaw II is provided adjacent its active end with a laterally or rearwardly projecting lug 20. The lug 2|] is thinner or narrower than the jaw I I and preferably has flat parallel sides. The jaw I I is provided at its outer or other end with a laterally or rearwardly projecting lug 2I. The lug 2I is bifurcated or yoked and the lever I'I is received in its outer or rear portion. A pivot pin 22 is passed through an opening in the lever I'I and is received in openings in the lug 2I to pivotally connect the jaw I I with the lever I'I. The heads of the pin 22 are preferably flush with the side surfaces of the lug 2I. The point of pivotal connection of the jaw II with the lever I'I is adjacent the handle I0. It is a feature of the invention that the axis of pivotal connection o-f the jaw II with the lever II is only slightly off-set from the longitudinal axis ofthe handle I0 and that the toothed outer end I8 of the jaw I I is transverse of and intersected by the longitudinal axis of the handle I0 when the jaws II and I2 are in active engagement with the pipe or object 0. This will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 1 of the drawing where the broken line X designates the longitudinal axis of the handle I0.

The outer jaw I2 is the outer pipe engaging or object engaging element of the wrench and is pivotally supported on the jaw lI and actuated by the lever I'I ofthe handle lIJ. The jaw I2 is a generally L-shaped member having an outer arm 23 spaced from and opposing the toothed end I8 of the jaw II and a so-mewhat longer arm 24 extending inwardly or toward the handle I0. The arms 23 and 24 are at substantially right angles to one another. The active inner side 25 of the jaw arm 23 is provided with teeth 26 opposing the teeth I9 of the jaw II and adapted to cooperate with the pipe or object O. It is to be particularly noted that the toothed inner side 25 of the jaw arm 23 is transverse of and intersected by the longitudinal axis X of the handle Ill and that the axis X is diametric of or substantially diametric of the pipe or object O engaged between the jaws I9 and II. These relationships are clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The outer side or end of the arm 23 of the jaw 'I2 is preferably rounded. A flat inclined face 21 is provided at the inner end of the active face 25 of the jaw I2 to assist in gripping the object O and to cooperate with the side surface of a polygonal object such as a nut. bolt head, or the like.

The arm 24 of the L-shaped jaw I 2 .is bifurcated or provided with a longitudinally extending slot 28. The slot 28 receives the lug 20 and the outer end portion of the lever I1. A pivot pin 29 is carried in openings in the bifurcated arm 24 and passes through an opening in the lug 20 to pivotally connect the jaw I2 with the The heads of the pin 29 are preferably Upon opening of the jaws II and I2 the axis of the pin 29 moves rearwardly to a position such jas illustrated in Fig. l ofthe drawing.

Inaccordance with the invention the outer jaw I2 has a shiftable and pivotal connection with the lever I'I of the handle I0 whereby the jaw I2 is actuated by the lever when a force is applied to the handle in the direction indicated by the arrow A. A slot 30 is provided in the end portion of the lever I'I remote from the handle I0. 'Ihe slot 30 is elongate and has its major axis pitched or inclined with respect to the lever I 'I being substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the handle Ill. In accordance with the invention the slot 30 is spaced a considerable distance from the pin 22 pivotally connecting the jaw II with the lever I'I. A pin 3| is carried by the end portion of the jaw arm 24 and passes through the slot 3U. The heads of the pin 3| are preferably flush with the side surfaces of the jaw arm 24. The pin 3| is shiftable in the slot 30 to permit pivotal movement of the jaw I2 relative to the jaw II and is engaged or acted on by the wall of the slot 30 for the transmission of the turning force from the lever I'I to the arm 24 of the outer jaw I2. It is to be observed that the point of pivotal connection between the lever I1 and the jaw arm 24 is spaced between the pivot pins 22 and 29 so that the lever I'I, the inner jaw I I and the arm 24 of the outer jaw I2 form a toggle assembly. When the handle I9 is swung or turned in the direction indicated by the arrow A the pin 3I cooperates with the wall of the slot 30 to pivot the jaw I2 relative to the jaw II to bring the,

teeth 26 into tight engagement with the object O. Simultaneously with the pivoting of the jaw I2 the jaw II has some pivotal movement on the pin 22 and swings with the handle I Il. The operation of the jaws II and I2 will be more fully 5 described.

The means I3 is provided to yieldingly hold the jaws II and I2 in their collapsed or inoperative positions illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing and to urge the jaws II and I2 into initial cooperavbifurcated lug 2I and its free end or outer end bears on the rear edge of the jaw I I. The spring 32 bearing on the jaw II tends to pivot the jaw II relative to the handle Ill and the jaw II being pivotally connected to the jaw I2 in turn tends to swing or pivot the jaw I2, the two jaws being no-rmally or initially held in the positions illustrated in Fig. 2. It is to be noted that the spring 32 is substantially entirely received in the bifurcated lug 2l and is disposed at the rear edge "of the jaw II where it is fully protected and where it does not interfere with the free use of the tool. The forward edge 34 of the inner jaw II forms a surface that may be conveniently pressed against by the thumb of the users hand grasping the handle I9 to pivot the jaw' II rearwardly for the purpose of opening the wrench. The wrench may be easily opened by engaging the jaw I2 on the object O to be gripped orl the invention the active end I 8ab of the jaw II is smooth or devoid of teeth and the inner side or active side 25a of the jaw arm 23 flat and devoid of teeth. As illustrated in Fig. of the drawing the side 25a and the surface 2T are adapted to atly bear against or engage adjacent faces of a polygonal nut N or the like, while the active end I8a of the jaw II is adapted to engage against an opposite side or corner of the nut. The wrench illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing may be the same as the above described form of the invention in other respects.

It is believed that the operation of the wrench provided by this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description.`

As described above, the jaws II may be readily, opened by pressing against the forward| edge 34 of the jaw II cr by engaging the arm 23 of the jaw I2 with the object and then exerting a force on the handle IIJ to spread the jaws to receive the object O. The spring 32 tends to swing the jaws II and I2 together yand when the object O is received .between the jaws the spring 32 urges the jaws into initial engagement with the object. A turning force may then .be exerted on the handle I0 in the direction indicated by the arrow A to actuate the jaws II and I2 into tight, rm engagement with the object O and to turn the object or to resist turning of the object, as the, case may be. Y

The force exerted on the handle I0 is transmite ted to the jaw II by the pin 22 and urges the. teeth I 9 of the jaw into iirm engagement with the object O. The turning force exerted on the handle I0 also tends to swing the lever I'l rearwardly Iand the pin 3| cooperates with the wall of the slot 30 to swing the outer end of the jaw arm 24 rear, wardly. The force transmitted to the jaw I2 by the pin 3l cooperating with the wall of the slot 30 pivots or tends to pivot the jaw I2 to force its teeth 26 into rm dependable engagement with, the object O. Thus the turning force exerted on, the handle I0 actuates both jaws II and I2 into. tight engagement with the object O. The piv-t otal axes of the jaws il and i2 and the slot 3l, are related so that a substantial leverage or me chanical advantage is obtained when the jaws.

II and I2 are actuated, as just described. The,

slot 30 is of sufficient length tc permit the wrench, to handle o-r grip objects varying considerably in, `size and the slot is related to the lever I'I, the jaw arm 24 and the pivot pins 22 and .29 so that,

the wrenchis effective in firmly gripping the 01o-,

jects throughout its entire range of adjustment or operation. The jaws I I and I2 may be readilyl released from the .object O by exerting a force on the handle IU in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow A or by applying pressure to the edge 34 of the jaw I I or both. The wrench `of the present invention is small andi 'compact and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.)

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details, herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself) any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art orfall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A wrench comprising, an velongate handle, a lever on the inner end of the handle inclined rearwardly and outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, an inner jaw arranged at the forward side of the lever, an active .object engaging face on the inner jaw, a biiurcated lugr projecting rearwardly from the inner jaw and receiving the lever, a pin pivotally connecting the lug with they lever adjacent the end of the han. elle and rearwardly of the longitudinal axis ot the handle, the said active face of the inner jawbeing substantially `curved about the pivotal axis of the inner jaw, a substantially L-shaped outer jaw having a short arm spaced from and opposing the said active face of Athe inner jaw and having a long arm at the rear of the inner jaw, angularly related faces on the inner sides oi the arms for engaging adjacent surfaces of a polygonal object, means pivotally connecting the interme-l diate portion of said long arm with the inner jaw at a point spaced outwardly beyond the lever, the lever having a slot .spaced outwardly and rearwardly from said pin, and a pin on said long arm of the outer jaw cooperating with the slot. f

. 2. A wrench comprising an elongate handle, an inner jaw pivotally connected with the outer end part of the handle at a Apoint rearwardly of the longitudinal axis of the handle, the inner jaw having van outwardly facing gripping face curved substantially concentric with the pivotal axis of the inner jaw, an outer jaw pivotally connected with the inner jaw lat a point spaced outwardly and rearwardly from the point of connection of the inner jaw with the handle and having a gripping face opposing the gripping face of the inner jaw, a pin and slot connection between the handle and the outer jaw spaced between theV point of connection of the inner jaw with the handle and the pivotal connection between the jaws and providing for pivoting and shifting of the outer jaw relative to the handle, said gripping vfaces and the connectionsvbetween the jaws and handle and the pin and slot connection being related so that said faces are substantially normal to and are intersected by the longitudinal axis of the handle when the jaws are gripping anobject and are at an acute angle to and spaced from the said axis when the jaws are inactive, and spring means acting on one of the jaws to urge the jaws into initial gripping engagement with the object.

OSCAR BECKLIN. 

